List of Non-Combat, Open-World Exploration/Puzzle/Life Simulation Games

The games on this list meet the following two criteria:

1. the game is not focused on combat and killing, but exploring and/or puzzle solving and/or life simulation (e.g. The Sims); and
2. the game features an open world in which you can freely explore.

The key similarity between social VR/virtual worlds and non-combat, open-world games is that they allow you to navigate and explore freely, and interact with your environment. The key difference between social VR/virtual worlds and these sort of games is that the latter do not, in many cases. allow for multiple users in the same experience (you are alone in that world, except for NPCs). You cannot share your experience with other people.

Unlike my list of social VR/virtual worlds, this is not an attempt at a comprehensive listing. I only add items to this list as they attract my attention. The main focus of this blog will remian social VR, virtual worlds, and the metaverse: experiences which you share with others.

Games marked with an asterisk (*) support users in VR headsets.

• the Myst series of games by Cyan: Myst, Riven, Myst III: Exile, Uru: Ages Beyond Myst, Myst IV: Revelation, and Myst V: End of Ages. At 25 years old, Myst is the granddaddy of first-person exploration/puzzle games, although it cannot really be considered an open world game. (I have put Myst Online: Uru Live on my list of social VR platforms and virtual worlds, although it is more of an MMO/MMORPG game.)
• Obduction* (also by Cyan, and highly recommended!)
• The Sims 4 (a phenomenally popular life simulation game)
• Eastshade (a new first-person, open-world game by Eastshade Studios)
• Discovery Tour by Assassin’s Creed: Ancient Egypt (an educational, non-combat version of Assassin’s Creed: Origins by Ubisoft)
• NEW! Fortnite Party Royale, an open-ended, non-combat extension to the phenomenally popular online game, with over 250 million users